Thanks again to Feli for joining me in this video! I hope that you guys enjoyed it 😊 If you did, please make sure to like and subscribe and check out Feli's channel which is linked in the description 😃
I'm German but wouldn't consider myself patriotic. This is a good country but it is surrounded by other countries that are as good or better. However, I would definitely consider myself a European patriot. I think Europe as a whole is by far the greatest place to live. So that's what I'm judging the US against, really, and the US loses that comparison in almost every respect.
Maternal mortality rate goes up steadily right now in the USA. From 20,1 deaths per 100.000 women in childbirth in 2019, to 23,8 in 2020, it jumped up to 32,9 in 2021. That are concerning numbers. In Germany, the number has been around 4 per 100.000 constantly in the last two decades. Now, that would really make me think!
My perspective as a German on the situation: The highest maternal mortality rates in the U.S. are among Black women and Native American women. According to the healthcare policy think tank "Kaiser Family Foundation" (KFF), Black women are three times more likely and Indigenous women are twice as likely to die from childbirth compared to white women. If you don’t have easy access to comprehensive healthcare in the U.S., you’re taking on a huge risk. In Germany, giving birth without complications costs between $2,100 and $4,300. The mother pays just about $11 per day and doesn’t owe a single cent more, even if complications arise. In the U.S., costs for a complicated premature birth can easily hit $250,000, and even a regular birth can set you back $20,000 to $30,000. So, yeah, good healthcare is definitely tied to your social standing and financial situation. I know a lot of Americans call our system socialist or communist. I just take that with a smile ;)
Das kommt davon, wenn man religiöse Fundamentalisten die Gesellschaftspolitik bestimmen lässt und aus der medizinischen Versorgung eine profitorientierte Industrie macht, deren Dienstleistungen sich große Teile der Bevölkerung nicht mehr leisten können. That's what happens when you let religious fundamentalists determine social policy and turn medical care into a profit-oriented industry whose services large sections of the population can no longer afford.
I think the question 'Are we the best country?' is weird. There are facts out there that obviously say that the best country is probably something like Norway or New Zealand. Low poverty rate, low crime rate and things like that. I think Germans answer these questions more fact based, while many Americans are just used to hearing "We are the best." all the time. This makes Americans answer this question differently.
The fact that Americans say yes in such high numbers probably has less to do with patriotism but more with ignorance. Most Americans don't know much about the world outside their borders. The only countries they do know and hear about are the countries which are responsible for illegal immigration. And the only thing they know about these countries is that people want to leave. So when there is nothing slightly positive to compare to no wonder the answer is yes. While Germans are far more informed about other countries, they even might have had positive experiences abroad affecting their choice.
Very well done! I left the USA more than 50 years ago and haven't missed much there. Living in Europe is so much more meaningful.And I don't mind planning my shopping around opening hours - I'm even happy that, if I forget something by Saturday at 6 p.m., I can just live with it. Compared with gun violence, poor education (K-12), lack of culture (no operas, no symphonies, no theatres where I lived in the USA); buying vegetables in the middle of the night is a small benefit.
Dutch here. I never considered Germans to be rude. Maybe a bit too formal, but not rude. But.... Dutch here. 😊 Our idea of speaking German is speaking Dutch loud and slow! 😂
@@darkphoenix6214 Being Dutch living close to the border and speaking the local dialect means I can make myself clear on both sides of the border, even when I'm really drunk.🥳
I have to disagree with Family. I do not think that Germans ask more questions when you're moving, because they're judging you. In fact I do this a lot myself for all kinds of stuff. But it's more out of genuine concern. And I'm sure the same thing counts for all the people I know
I agree: ruclips.net/video/OTWz7Oyz0_A/видео.htmlsi=PY0pjJSBT19D7ike&t=826 I still personally don't enjoy it anymore to have other people basically evaluate things that I didn't ask them to evaluate for me when I didn't ask them for it. Even if it happens out of concern. Unless it's a super extreme situation where I'd be in danger or something like that.
really interesting to hear your positions. I‘ve been following both of your channels for several year now and really appreciate your observations as a German who has also lived in the U.S. for a year each three different times. When I was in my twenties, if I had met my soul mate in the U.S. who was bound to America, I could have imagined staying there. I did not and also felt each time that I must go back to Germany (to complete my Master‘s and my dissertation in American Studies, and finally to be there for my aging parents) and I am now quite happy I did not stay in the U.S., but can go there to see the fantastic landscapes, meet with the great friends I made, do sightseeing etc. but return to the “motherland“ where I feel that politics are more sane (it is getting crazier, though, sadly - and, as I think - due to the Tea Party, Maga, Q-Anon and Trump influence on European right wingers as political rhetoric has become unhinged and many now see the world in terms of black and white instead of all the levels of grey in between any longer as they used to) and where I know how to manoeuvre the system, own property, have a safe and well-paying job at a German university (in Rhineland-Palatinate, btw), etc. I have, though, even in my twenties felt quite strongly that I would not want to raise children in the U.S…. It has never seemed a particularly great place to be a child. My first year in the U.S. was as an AuPair in the late eighties and even then, the lack of freedom and helicoptering expected of parents and guardians of children was insane to me as a German - and that was long before the school-shooting epidemic we have seen since Columbine… Also, I felt the growing destruction of the middle class society back then already. I have met many extremely rich Americans and have encountered the poverty n the cities as well, which was shocking to me as in Germany, homelessness is really almost a choice as we have a pretty good safety net and welfare options to those falling on hard times. In NYC, in 1999, I saw - in the middle of a typical NY winter - a woman pushing a shopping cart with her few belongings and she was essentially clad in some trash bags. I will never forget that… Also, in the eighties, in Philadelphia and New York (and their surrounding cities), there were so many poverty-stricken neighborhoods and no-go areas - something we rarely have here…
I absolutely loved your collaboration, this video and your conclusions. Feli is great, and so are you. The answer to the random question of the week is: with milk, of course! 😁
Former American over here. I became a naturalized German citizen about 11 years ago and have been living in Germany for over 25 years now. Back then, it wasn’t possible for me to get German citizenship without giving up my American citizenship. While it wasn’t my primary motivation, shedding my American citizenship definitely was an additional reason for me. The US is one of only two countries in the world that requires their citizens to report their worldwide income, file taxes, and all financial institutions also had to report my holdings to Uncle Sam as well. This made financial planning increasingly difficult over time. Dual citizenship for Americans carries this burden of complicated financial planning with it. Many banks here don’t do business with US persons, and I’m not aware of which financial institutions in Germany offer brokerage services. I’m really interested to learn about how Americans living long term in Germany manage their finances here, particularly those considering dual citizenship.
I am German and I really love the USA. Within the last 30 years I visited over 20 states on numerous stays in the US. I would say that I have a feeling for the American mentality. At the moment I am in the USA for vacation. My wife and I did a road trip which lead us to Atlanta. Honestly I was shocked about the poverty, there. We stayed downtown at a high class Hotel. The whole area around the hotel was crowded with homeless people. The other day we drove to Krispy Kreme to get us some donuts. We ended up in a really rough neighborhood. The windows of the donut shop were smashed and nailed with wood. After I returned I did some research. I found out that two men were shot at the exact same store, last year. Also there have been 3 shootings in this area within the last few days. Today I drove to downtown Chicago. All of the sudden a woman, obviously full on drugs, walked on the middle of the highway. The car in front of me almost hit her. I would say that the USA changed dramatically, in the last few years. Drugs, violence and poverty became a huge problem and there is no solution to get these issues under control.
I wouldn’t say it’s changed recently. It’s been that way for a long time….its more a matter of where you go at a given time period. Places in the 80s and 90s had historically bad crime levels, that improved, whereas other areas have had an uptick in crime in recent years, where others have improved. Most of the crime is in the south. It used to be Detroit, MI, Camden, NH, and Chicago known for violent crime….nowadays New Orleans, LA, Jackson, MI, Atlanta, GA have far higher violent crime and homicide rates.
In my youth the USA was the country of dreams in general. Anything great seemed possible there. Now it looks it's the opposite, a nightmare ... gun violence, poverty, over-patriotism/bibelism and most of all!!! NO! national healthcare- and general security-system for the people. Need to get more balanced now viewing the USA. However - I'm glad to live in Europe.
In German are two words for home: "Zuhause" and "Heimat". I lived in several cities in Germany. Each on of them, where my current apartement was, was "Zuhause". But there is only one city, where my "Heimat" is. My birth town. I would say, I have a stronger connection to my "Heimat" than to my "Zuhause". Even when I'm happy in my "Zuhause". I hope, I was clear enough. I rarely drink coffee. But when I have really free choice for coffee, I drink it black ("as black as my soul").
@@hoernchenmeister3216 Vielleicht, der _Heimatschein_ ist der Bürgerrechtsausweis des Schweizers. Daneben gibt noch einen _Heimatausweiss_ für die _Wochenaufenhalter_ 🙂
I’d put it like this: 'Home' (Zuhause) is the place where I live and work and where the people come from that I definitely don’t want to run into on vacation. 'Homeland' (Heimat) is the place I feel a deep connection to and where I’m truly rooted.
I'm German. I have lived in the UK for two years in a boarding school and I have lived in France for two years as a student living with my husband in an appartement. I have been to his country (Benin) twice for holidays. Living abroad has made me miss Germany and taught me the pros of living in Germany. So, I've always moved back to Germany but I do miss some aspects of the other countries, too. 💖
That was again a great collab!(: Have got my family here AND there and allways struggled .. Having all births in Germany, what was the very best decision, there then allways was a point of the education from one of the kids, wich I would probably not have been able to afford in the US. Liebe Grüße und schönes Wochenende
Having lived in both countries I have learned that the US works well for younger people with plenty of energy that want to have fun and don't care about peace and quiet. More mature people with less energy or people with ongoing health issues will appreciate Germany's support structure where the weaker get support from the richer (through taxes). And if you have kids I would choose Germany as well since the schooling in North America is bad compared to Germany.
Love both channels - I personally Love and hate the US - I am scared of the guns and I believe there should be more regulations on capitalism and looking at US foreign politics after 1948 there is a lot to argue about but at the end of the day both countries have a lot to offer. I personally get very homesick when I am away from home to long....but I have also great admiration for the US. Europe and especially Germany my country may just not be in the state it is without the support of the USA - after the Second World War the Marshall plan with the intention to fight totalitarianism and secure democracy in Europe saved us. This shall never be forgotten......
I personally love living in Europe - and to me it is always Europe, not just a specific country, ... nothing can beat this. And I am not talking about healthcare or these things - but really the cultures, the proximity to different countries, landscapes, skiing, different oceans, Mediterraniean, Atlantic, Baltic sea ... I love it. Yes, I have lived in the US - it was great for a year ... but not forever.
About the coffee topic. Just because you mentioned it before, but we have coffee creamers (in form of powder (called: Kaffeweißer) or fluid in little bottles (Kafeesahne)). Germans often use Kaffeeweißer only in an work enviroment, were we need to be fast. In a more formal or family setting we more likely use Kaffeesahne, milk and sugar or unwhipped whipped cream (still put in a nice jug). The more younger generations (after the Baby Boomers) are also more likely to go to Starbucks or (because of the costs) buy sirups (availible in the supermarkets (not discounters)) and experiment a bit for ourselfs to get as close a possible to the original.
Coffee...it depends on the coffee. I like cappu but I'll drink it black if the choice is H-milk, Kaffeesahne and that ilk (but recently discovered that i love Oatly in ny coffee!).
I’ve never lived in another country, but I left my home state for college and never went back. I grew up in California and have lived in Arizona for over 20 years. There are definitely pros and cons to both. The cost of living is substantially lower in Arizona, but the weather is better in California. And there are also political differences-while Arizona has become more of a purple state, California is solidly blue but some of their laws feel very “nanny state.” And there’s also the fact that my parents are in California and now I’m grappling with the fact that they are aging and my mom is terminally ill and I can’t visit as much as I would like. So as happy as I am in Arizona and not feeling terribly inclined to leave, there are certainly things I miss about California.
German here, 60 years old. I've been to the US many times on business trips and vacation without having lived or worked there for an extended time. It's a beautiful country, or better continent, it has so much nature and variation from the East Coast to Florida, Texas, Nevada, Utah, California, Wisconsin or Colorado (that's not even the complete list of places I have been to). Also, I've met very nice people over there, I even have a friend and stayed at his home three times. But it has always been very clear to me that I would never want to live there because social security is so much better over here, education is free, healthcare is almost completely covered by the legal insurances etc. I might consider living in the Netherlands, Scandinavia or Spain, maybe Canada, but never in the US. I consider myself very lucky to be live in this country at this time (and not some 90 years earlier) and wich apparently makes me part of a 5% minority who appreciate their German citizenship, too. The other 95% don't seem to have been around much in the rest of the world, I suppose.
following both of content creators since years ... for donnie i can say: the best clip i ever saw from you ... and to feli: top as usual ... thanks for both of your folks spoke really emotional ... cant wait to see another feli-donnie clip in german speech (hahaha)
black coffee with sweeteners, thank you. That said, I don't think I am putting down where my American buddies are from when I occasionally mention "healthcare worthy of being called such" - it's more that I wish for them to have better (and more importantly much more affordable) access to healthcare without getting into dire straits financially. Same for them having to go to work while sick or risk not getting paid. I just wish them something better. The idea is that only if you draw attention to a problem can it get fixed. Beyond that it's just some friendly ribbing about American "beer" every so often.
I’m an American from the New York metro area and I don’t drink coffee. My mom was born in England and came over when she was 8 and obviously drinks tea. When we were growing up, she would give my siblings and me weak tea (tea bag dunked briefly plus a lot of milk and I liked it lot of sugar) when we were sick along with toast - it was our “Chicken Soup” (which is a more typical cure all given by American mothers traditionally). My dad who was American born and raised was given instant coffee by my mom.
It's nice that feli is wqilling to join people in their videoas. thank you. I think you don't have to move abroad to face the same problems with people telling you that you would be better in the other country. I myself was born and raised in saxony, lived in lower saxony and then moved to north rhine westphalia and whenver I talk about beeing a natural born saxon people tell me that I must be happy thast I do not live there anmymore. and I don't drink coffee.so. I'll take a hot chocolate instead. thank you
Life in the USA CAN be better - but only if you are VERY wealthy. That kind of walthy, where falling ill does not have a relevant effect on your income.
This is regards to my previous comments: I want to make clear, that I don't regard Germans or Germany as flawless or even anywhere near perfect. Oh nonono, we have sooooo many stupid decisions, indecisions, problems, politics etc. Its just, comparatively, not as awful as the U. S.. Here, you don't have to be a part of the "1%" to live relatively comfortable, in peace, in security and in a kind of happiness, that is not delivered by money.
Hm. I think the question if you live out out of your own volition in U. S. is justified, when you think about it from a general western outside perspective. The U. S. might be the most powerful country on earth (or the "imperial core", as I heard just recently), but all we hear and what the U. S. presents by itself is mostly strife, bad systems, capitalism on overdrive, ignorance, self-importance and grandeur, while accepting very, let's say 'suboptimal human living conditions', bad pay, high prices, all plastered over with stupid patriotism. It might not FULLY be that way in reality, but I can understand that one would wonder, why anyone would choose to live in this 'capitalist utopia' and ask.
RQotW: café con leche. Where am I from: childhood in South America, teen and young adult in North America, in Europe every summer since my late teens, then permanently since my mid 20s. Half of my family is in USA the other half all over Europe. I like the sense of security and the social net (up until now- things are changing) that most European countries provide. Plus the uninterrupted culture of music and performing arts, and the ease of travel.
Germans are very patriotic in my opinion, but they don't show it openly. But they think, they built the best cars, they have the greatest inventers, the best engineering, the greatest philosophers and so on.
from the philosophycal -spiritual aspect at least in the past that was the case ... and for the future that is Germanys one - (and only) asset to thrive. In fact their way out of misery. They will come to realize that . And yes, it has to do with the culture of the German language ... the only language where there is a clear differentiation between WAHRHEIT (only one) and WIRKlichkeit (Wirk-ung der Wahrheit, unendlich viele, the "effect" you yourself create). The German language - when fully understood - contains and reveals the Cosmic Code of Creation. L ICH T ... M acht ... the knowledge of number as well ... since 8 is - power. And many more examples ... My book "Der Mond und der kosmische Code der Schöpfung" therefore could and will never be translated - since the only language to fully comprehend and understand this Code is ... German. And yes - I was raised bilingual - lived in 5 countries - could - and have! - also written in other languages.
We don't just think that, it corresponds to historical reality. If you look at the inventions of Americans (here I mean people who are at least in 3. generation from America), there are not many left. America is what it is because people from all over the world immigrate and bring their knowledge with them.
Uh, I should stop commenting... I literally despise Felis points of view... - Not to have planned everything out all the time: Feli, for your 'convenient shopping experience', people are exploited and don't have the weekend off. - parking spaces everywhere: This means, the whole country is so car-dependend, that you often times HAVE to drive everywhere, because public transport is completely underfunded or none-existent. Have you tried to take a train somewhere in your glorious new home, with its about ten train-lines overall? What a joke. All that reeks to of an uncomfortable amount of privilege.
She is young and naive and inexperienced in some things. I don't know if she's ever worked anywhere or what. Yes, is there anything better than parking lots? (US probably has 8 parking spaces per car i think)
I don't think I said anywhere that I think those things are GOOD per se? I actually have posted about how much space parking lots take up in the US that could have been used for housing or other causes. I was just being honest in saying that I can't deny that the convenience in this country was fun for me at first (and still is in many ways). That doesn't mean I don't know the downsides of it and approve of it.
To your first point about employees working and being “exploited” on the weekends in the U.S. At times I think it is funny when people focus on Germans closing grocery stores and shopping stores on Sundays and think they are doing some amazing thing, yet, they still expect bowling alleys to be open, movie theaters, saunas, restaurants, etc. Just because there are a few select industries that are closed on one day of the weekend (I guess German employees are also exploited on the weekends if they have to work on Saturday?), there are still millions of Germans that are expected to work on Sundays so that the rest of Germany are able to be entertained 😂 In this way, I don’t think Germany is THAT much better 😅 To the point about the cars, again, Germany is often not that much better. Live in a rural part of the country like we do and sure, you might live in a village that is lucky enough to have a train stop with a train that comes once an hour, but with DB’s efficiency, your often lucky if that one train comes 😂 Or if you need to work in the city nearby, that’s a 20 minute drive or an hour by bus. Sure, doable, but everybody relies on cars here as well because of how poor the public transport is. Germany isn’t a perfect place either like this comment seems to try and make it out to be.
@@FelifromGermany musst dich doch nicht rechtfertigen bei irgendwelche Fremde im Internet. Du hattest deine persönlichen Gründe warum dir einiges ursprünglich besser erschien als du es in Deutschland gewohnt warst und das ist vollkommen normal. Dass du später erkanntest, dass auch solche Sachen ihre Schattenseiten haben ist auch logisch und reif.
Last things first: I nearly always drink either cappuccino or latte (and with sugar). It was interesting to hear the two of you talking about this. I have just celebrated 50 years of living in Germany and 10 years of being a German citizen. There was a brief period of madness (and for me it was that; caused me to be depressed the entire year and a half) when I thought I would move back to the States, but I still vividly remember the moment when I realized I did NOT want to do that. To use a German expression: Zehntausend Steine sind mir vom Herzen gefallen. I can‘t tell you why I was so enamored of Germany and Europe even before I came here; there was no rational reason. Nonetheless, I have loved being here from the moment I stepped off the plane onto European soil. Renouncing my American citizenship did not cause me the least bit of anxiety, and I didn’t do it earlier out of laziness. Indeed, I remember a sense of exhilaration when I made the renunciation. If I were doing it today, I would still renounce my American citizenship. But is my life „better“? I can‘t really say. Who knows what would have happened had I stayed in the USA? However, I can‘t imagine having had a better life than the one I have had here. In that sense, I am one lucky fellow.
I dunno, but maybe a lot of Americans just think that all the people who immigrate to the US do so, because it is best. Therefore that question doesn't even cross their mind. And when it comes to Germans saying "right?!" at the end, I would also add that some just phrase their questions that way. So yes, it may appear as an assumption to you and maybe in a way it is, but it also may just be their way of asking a question because they're curious and wanna know 🤷🏼♀️
@@PassportTwo everybody is entitled to their wrong opinion. 😉 Just kidding. Enjoy it the way you want. Who else could decide if you like it. And by the way, thanks for the entertaining videos over the last years. Funny to see someone talking about my region on RUclips. And as I said on the last video: best burgers are from Sam Kullman‘s Diner. If you find some better ones in the KL region let me know. I am always looking for a nice new place to eat.
Feli isn't an American at all. She's still just having fun. She said it herself...at the first sign of trouble and/or real life intruding on her bubble she'll be back "home" to Bavaria in a heartbeat. OTOH, you, your wife and family are the real deal. Not really a balanced conversation.
I grew up around the corner where you live now; namely in Kaiserslautern. Relatively early, around 14 or 15, it was clear to me that KL would remain my home, but I would live somewhere else. Meanwhile I am 21 and own a small house in the north of Finland ... but I don't live here all the time. Actually, I'm only here between October and April/May and the rest of the year I spend in my van and travel the world. Where is life better now? In my opinion, better is the wrong word. Where do I prefer to live at the moment is my question. And the answer to that can really change for me every day. As a singer/songwriter, I am in the fortunate position of not being tied to a fixed point and also being able to dispose of my time somewhat freely. In my opinion, there is neither right nor wrong; in the end, it has to feel good.
Thanks again to Feli for joining me in this video! I hope that you guys enjoyed it 😊 If you did, please make sure to like and subscribe and check out Feli's channel which is linked in the description 😃
Thanks so much for having me 😊 It was a great conversation!
I'm German but wouldn't consider myself patriotic. This is a good country but it is surrounded by other countries that are as good or better. However, I would definitely consider myself a European patriot. I think Europe as a whole is by far the greatest place to live. So that's what I'm judging the US against, really, and the US loses that comparison in almost every respect.
This is a top notch collaboration by two of my favorite RUclipsrs
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it 😊
Maternal mortality rate goes up steadily right now in the USA. From 20,1 deaths per 100.000 women in childbirth in 2019, to 23,8 in 2020, it jumped up to 32,9 in 2021. That are concerning numbers. In Germany, the number has been around 4 per 100.000 constantly in the last two decades. Now, that would really make me think!
My perspective as a German on the situation:
The highest maternal mortality rates in the U.S. are among Black women and Native American women. According to the healthcare policy think tank "Kaiser Family Foundation" (KFF), Black women are three times more likely and Indigenous women are twice as likely to die from childbirth compared to white women. If you don’t have easy access to comprehensive healthcare in the U.S., you’re taking on a huge risk.
In Germany, giving birth without complications costs between $2,100 and $4,300. The mother pays just about $11 per day and doesn’t owe a single cent more, even if complications arise. In the U.S., costs for a complicated premature birth can easily hit $250,000, and even a regular birth can set you back $20,000 to $30,000. So, yeah, good healthcare is definitely tied to your social standing and financial situation. I know a lot of Americans call our system socialist or communist. I just take that with a smile ;)
ANd the German number is even high for europe
Das kommt davon, wenn man religiöse Fundamentalisten die Gesellschaftspolitik bestimmen lässt und aus der medizinischen Versorgung eine profitorientierte Industrie macht, deren Dienstleistungen sich große Teile der Bevölkerung nicht mehr leisten können.
That's what happens when you let religious fundamentalists determine social policy and turn medical care into a profit-oriented industry whose services large sections of the population can no longer afford.
I think the question 'Are we the best country?' is weird. There are facts out there that obviously say that the best country is probably something like Norway or New Zealand. Low poverty rate, low crime rate and things like that. I think Germans answer these questions more fact based, while many Americans are just used to hearing "We are the best." all the time. This makes Americans answer this question differently.
So both answered the question "the German way"! 😁
The fact that Americans say yes in such high numbers probably has less to do with patriotism but more with ignorance. Most Americans don't know much about the world outside their borders. The only countries they do know and hear about are the countries which are responsible for illegal immigration. And the only thing they know about these countries is that people want to leave. So when there is nothing slightly positive to compare to no wonder the answer is yes. While Germans are far more informed about other countries, they even might have had positive experiences abroad affecting their choice.
Very well done! I left the USA more than 50 years ago and haven't missed much there. Living in Europe is so much more meaningful.And I don't mind planning my shopping around opening hours - I'm even happy that, if I forget something by Saturday at 6 p.m., I can just live with it. Compared with gun violence, poor education (K-12), lack of culture (no operas, no symphonies, no theatres where I lived in the USA); buying vegetables in the middle of the night is a small benefit.
Dutch here.
I never considered Germans to be rude. Maybe a bit too formal, but not rude. But....
Dutch here. 😊
Our idea of speaking German is speaking Dutch loud and slow! 😂
As a German Dutch feels like u are speaking german while being really drunk ❤
@@darkphoenix6214 Being Dutch living close to the border and speaking the local dialect means I can make myself clear on both sides of the border, even when I'm really drunk.🥳
@@darkphoenix6214 "Drunken English sailors trying to speak German"... 😁
What a wonderful surprise to see a collab of 2 of my favourite RUclipsrs! Enjoyed it a lot!
So glad you enjoyed it 😊
I have to disagree with Family. I do not think that Germans ask more questions when you're moving, because they're judging you. In fact I do this a lot myself for all kinds of stuff. But it's more out of genuine concern. And I'm sure the same thing counts for all the people I know
I agree: ruclips.net/video/OTWz7Oyz0_A/видео.htmlsi=PY0pjJSBT19D7ike&t=826
I still personally don't enjoy it anymore to have other people basically evaluate things that I didn't ask them to evaluate for me when I didn't ask them for it. Even if it happens out of concern. Unless it's a super extreme situation where I'd be in danger or something like that.
really interesting to hear your positions. I‘ve been following both of your channels for several year now and really appreciate your observations as a German who has also lived in the U.S. for a year each three different times. When I was in my twenties, if I had met my soul mate in the U.S. who was bound to America, I could have imagined staying there. I did not and also felt each time that I must go back to Germany (to complete my Master‘s and my dissertation in American Studies, and finally to be there for my aging parents) and I am now quite happy I did not stay in the U.S., but can go there to see the fantastic landscapes, meet with the great friends I made, do sightseeing etc. but return to the “motherland“ where I feel that politics are more sane (it is getting crazier, though, sadly - and, as I think - due to the Tea Party, Maga, Q-Anon and Trump influence on European right wingers as political rhetoric has become unhinged and many now see the world in terms of black and white instead of all the levels of grey in between any longer as they used to) and where I know how to manoeuvre the system, own property, have a safe and well-paying job at a German university (in Rhineland-Palatinate, btw), etc. I have, though, even in my twenties felt quite strongly that I would not want to raise children in the U.S…. It has never seemed a particularly great place to be a child. My first year in the U.S. was as an AuPair in the late eighties and even then, the lack of freedom and helicoptering expected of parents and guardians of children was insane to me as a German - and that was long before the school-shooting epidemic we have seen since Columbine… Also, I felt the growing destruction of the middle class society back then already. I have met many extremely rich Americans and have encountered the poverty n the cities as well, which was shocking to me as in Germany, homelessness is really almost a choice as we have a pretty good safety net and welfare options to those falling on hard times. In NYC, in 1999, I saw - in the middle of a typical NY winter - a woman pushing a shopping cart with her few belongings and she was essentially clad in some trash bags. I will never forget that… Also, in the eighties, in Philadelphia and New York (and their surrounding cities), there were so many poverty-stricken neighborhoods and no-go areas - something we rarely have here…
I absolutely loved your collaboration, this video and your conclusions. Feli is great, and so are you.
The answer to the random question of the week is: with milk, of course! 😁
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it 😊
Former American over here. I became a naturalized German citizen about 11 years ago and have been living in Germany for over 25 years now. Back then, it wasn’t possible for me to get German citizenship without giving up my American citizenship. While it wasn’t my primary motivation, shedding my American citizenship definitely was an additional reason for me. The US is one of only two countries in the world that requires their citizens to report their worldwide income, file taxes, and all financial institutions also had to report my holdings to Uncle Sam as well. This made financial planning increasingly difficult over time. Dual citizenship for Americans carries this burden of complicated financial planning with it. Many banks here don’t do business with US persons, and I’m not aware of which financial institutions in Germany offer brokerage services. I’m really interested to learn about how Americans living long term in Germany manage their finances here, particularly those considering dual citizenship.
* naturalised. You live in Europe so please use the English used over here and don't americanise it. Thanks!
I am German and I really love the USA. Within the last 30 years I visited over 20 states on numerous stays in the US. I would say that I have a feeling for the American mentality. At the moment I am in the USA for vacation. My wife and I did a road trip which lead us to Atlanta. Honestly I was shocked about the poverty, there. We stayed downtown at a high class Hotel. The whole area around the hotel was crowded with homeless people. The other day we drove to Krispy Kreme to get us some donuts. We ended up in a really rough neighborhood. The windows of the donut shop were smashed and nailed with wood. After I returned I did some research. I found out that two men were shot at the exact same store, last year. Also there have been 3 shootings in this area within the last few days. Today I drove to downtown Chicago. All of the sudden a woman, obviously full on drugs, walked on the middle of the highway. The car in front of me almost hit her.
I would say that the USA changed dramatically, in the last few years. Drugs, violence and poverty became a huge problem and there is no solution to get these issues under control.
I wouldn’t say it’s changed recently. It’s been that way for a long time….its more a matter of where you go at a given time period. Places in the 80s and 90s had historically bad crime levels, that improved, whereas other areas have had an uptick in crime in recent years, where others have improved. Most of the crime is in the south. It used to be Detroit, MI, Camden, NH, and Chicago known for violent crime….nowadays New Orleans, LA, Jackson, MI, Atlanta, GA have far higher violent crime and homicide rates.
In my youth the USA was the country of dreams in general. Anything great seemed possible there. Now it looks it's the opposite, a nightmare ... gun violence, poverty, over-patriotism/bibelism and most of all!!! NO! national healthcare- and general security-system for the people. Need to get more balanced now viewing the USA. However - I'm glad to live in Europe.
In German are two words for home: "Zuhause" and "Heimat".
I lived in several cities in Germany. Each on of them, where my current apartement was, was "Zuhause". But there is only one city, where my "Heimat" is. My birth town. I would say, I have a stronger connection to my "Heimat" than to my "Zuhause". Even when I'm happy in my "Zuhause".
I hope, I was clear enough.
I rarely drink coffee. But when I have really free choice for coffee, I drink it black ("as black as my soul").
Well, in Switzerland I can prove where I'm _heim_ with my _Heimatschein_ (I've got two in fact) 😂
@@marcmonnerat4850Ist das wie ein Personalausweis in Deutschland? Hab ich noch nie gehört:)
@@hoernchenmeister3216 Vielleicht, der _Heimatschein_ ist der Bürgerrechtsausweis des Schweizers. Daneben gibt noch einen _Heimatausweiss_ für die _Wochenaufenhalter_ 🙂
@@marcmonnerat4850 Ah OK, ich glaube ich verstehe:)
I’d put it like this: 'Home' (Zuhause) is the place where I live and work and where the people come from that I definitely don’t want to run into on vacation. 'Homeland' (Heimat) is the place I feel a deep connection to and where I’m truly rooted.
This was a really enjoyable video.😊❤
I'm German. I have lived in the UK for two years in a boarding school and I have lived in France for two years as a student living with my husband in an appartement. I have been to his country (Benin) twice for holidays. Living abroad has made me miss Germany and taught me the pros of living in Germany. So, I've always moved back to Germany but I do miss some aspects of the other countries, too. 💖
Congratulations. So now all of us anxiously wait for Passport No. Four! Wishing you guys all the best!
That was again a great collab!(: Have got my family here AND there and allways struggled .. Having all births in Germany, what was the very best decision, there then allways was a point of the education from one of the kids, wich I would probably not have been able to afford in the US.
Liebe Grüße und schönes Wochenende
Having lived in both countries I have learned that the US works well for younger people with plenty of energy that want to have fun and don't care about peace and quiet. More mature people with less energy or people with ongoing health issues will appreciate Germany's support structure where the weaker get support from the richer (through taxes). And if you have kids I would choose Germany as well since the schooling in North America is bad compared to Germany.
@11:32 Germans are more realistic about life in general, I suppose. 😘
oooh, my 2 fave youtubers from this genre. I love your videos. and learning about what is going on in america & germany and the diffrences
Love both channels - I personally Love and hate the US - I am scared of the guns and I believe there should be more regulations on capitalism and looking at US foreign politics after 1948 there is a lot to argue about but at the end of the day both countries have a lot to offer. I personally get very homesick when I am away from home to long....but I have also great admiration for the US. Europe and especially Germany my country may just not be in the state it is without the support of the USA - after the Second World War the Marshall plan with the intention to fight totalitarianism and secure democracy in Europe saved us. This shall never be forgotten......
...and we had to pay any Ct back + interest....and we did.
I personally love living in Europe - and to me it is always Europe, not just a specific country, ... nothing can beat this. And I am not talking about healthcare or these things - but really the cultures, the proximity to different countries, landscapes, skiing, different oceans, Mediterraniean, Atlantic, Baltic sea ... I love it. Yes, I have lived in the US - it was great for a year ... but not forever.
"FAILY" 😂😂😂 I love it
About the coffee topic. Just because you mentioned it before, but we have coffee creamers (in form of powder (called: Kaffeweißer) or fluid in little bottles (Kafeesahne)). Germans often use Kaffeeweißer only in an work enviroment, were we need to be fast. In a more formal or family setting we more likely use Kaffeesahne, milk and sugar or unwhipped whipped cream (still put in a nice jug).
The more younger generations (after the Baby Boomers) are also more likely to go to Starbucks or (because of the costs) buy sirups (availible in the supermarkets (not discounters)) and experiment a bit for ourselfs to get as close a possible to the original.
very nice, very honest. THANK YOU FOR THAT VIDEO!
Excellent video! Thanks for doing it! It's great for expats like me (Wisconsin to Bavaria)!
Coffee...it depends on the coffee. I like cappu but I'll drink it black if the choice is H-milk, Kaffeesahne and that ilk (but recently discovered that i love Oatly in ny coffee!).
I’ve never lived in another country, but I left my home state for college and never went back. I grew up in California and have lived in Arizona for over 20 years. There are definitely pros and cons to both. The cost of living is substantially lower in Arizona, but the weather is better in California. And there are also political differences-while Arizona has become more of a purple state, California is solidly blue but some of their laws feel very “nanny state.” And there’s also the fact that my parents are in California and now I’m grappling with the fact that they are aging and my mom is terminally ill and I can’t visit as much as I would like. So as happy as I am in Arizona and not feeling terribly inclined to leave, there are certainly things I miss about California.
German here, 60 years old. I've been to the US many times on business trips and vacation without having lived or worked there for an extended time. It's a beautiful country, or better continent, it has so much nature and variation from the East Coast to Florida, Texas, Nevada, Utah, California, Wisconsin or Colorado (that's not even the complete list of places I have been to). Also, I've met very nice people over there, I even have a friend and stayed at his home three times. But it has always been very clear to me that I would never want to live there because social security is so much better over here, education is free, healthcare is almost completely covered by the legal insurances etc. I might consider living in the Netherlands, Scandinavia or Spain, maybe Canada, but never in the US. I consider myself very lucky to be live in this country at this time (and not some 90 years earlier) and wich apparently makes me part of a 5% minority who appreciate their German citizenship, too. The other 95% don't seem to have been around much in the rest of the world, I suppose.
As someone who also does not live in his homeland, I think, it is much more important with whom you live than where you live.
following both of content creators since years ... for donnie i can say: the best clip i ever saw from you ... and to feli: top as usual ... thanks for both of your folks spoke really emotional ... cant wait to see another feli-donnie clip in german speech (hahaha)
Interestin fact: in Germany 65 shots were fired by police on humans in 2023 and 6 were killed. In US 90 shots were fired on a single person.
black coffee with sweeteners, thank you.
That said, I don't think I am putting down where my American buddies are from when I occasionally mention "healthcare worthy of being called such" - it's more that I wish for them to have better (and more importantly much more affordable) access to healthcare without getting into dire straits financially. Same for them having to go to work while sick or risk not getting paid. I just wish them something better. The idea is that only if you draw attention to a problem can it get fixed.
Beyond that it's just some friendly ribbing about American "beer" every so often.
I’m an American from the New York metro area and I don’t drink coffee. My mom was born in England and came over when she was 8 and obviously drinks tea. When we were growing up, she would give my siblings and me weak tea (tea bag dunked briefly plus a lot of milk and I liked it lot of sugar) when we were sick along with toast - it was our “Chicken Soup” (which is a more typical cure all given by American mothers traditionally). My dad who was American born and raised was given instant coffee by my mom.
It's nice that feli is wqilling to join people in their videoas. thank you. I think you don't have to move abroad to face the same problems with people telling you that you would be better in the other country. I myself was born and raised in saxony, lived in lower saxony and then moved to north rhine westphalia and whenver I talk about beeing a natural born saxon people tell me that I must be happy thast I do not live there anmymore.
and I don't drink coffee.so. I'll take a hot chocolate instead. thank you
Life in the USA CAN be better - but only if you are VERY wealthy. That kind of walthy, where falling ill does not have a relevant effect on your income.
Coffee a little cream but can have black. In EU mostly black.
Feli tells why she fell in love with America. Why did you fell in love with Germany, Donnie?
Just being curious about a different country from your own seems a good enough reason
This is regards to my previous comments: I want to make clear, that I don't regard Germans or Germany as flawless or even anywhere near perfect. Oh nonono, we have sooooo many stupid decisions, indecisions, problems, politics etc. Its just, comparatively, not as awful as the U. S.. Here, you don't have to be a part of the "1%" to live relatively comfortable, in peace, in security and in a kind of happiness, that is not delivered by money.
Hm. I think the question if you live out out of your own volition in U. S. is justified, when you think about it from a general western outside perspective. The U. S. might be the most powerful country on earth (or the "imperial core", as I heard just recently), but all we hear and what the U. S. presents by itself is mostly strife, bad systems, capitalism on overdrive, ignorance, self-importance and grandeur, while accepting very, let's say 'suboptimal human living conditions', bad pay, high prices, all plastered over with stupid patriotism. It might not FULLY be that way in reality, but I can understand that one would wonder, why anyone would choose to live in this 'capitalist utopia' and ask.
There is nothing better than a classic italien cappuccino.
RQOTW: Black as the night, sweet as love, and hot like hell.
Black. Without Schnickschnack :D
Citizenship, yes. Got mine, too.
Das sind tolle Neuigkeiten. Glückwunsch!
RQotW: café con leche.
Where am I from: childhood in South America, teen and young adult in North America, in Europe every summer since my late teens, then permanently since my mid 20s.
Half of my family is in USA the other half all over Europe. I like the sense of security and the social net (up until now- things are changing) that most European countries provide. Plus the uninterrupted culture of music and performing arts, and the ease of travel.
Germans are very patriotic in my opinion, but they don't show it openly. But they think, they built the best cars, they have the greatest inventers, the best engineering, the greatest philosophers and so on.
from the philosophycal -spiritual aspect at least in the past that was the case ... and for the future that is Germanys one - (and only) asset to thrive. In fact their way out of misery. They will come to realize that . And yes, it has to do with the culture of the German language ... the only language where there is a clear differentiation between WAHRHEIT (only one) and WIRKlichkeit (Wirk-ung der Wahrheit, unendlich viele, the "effect" you yourself create). The German language - when fully understood - contains and reveals the Cosmic Code of Creation. L ICH T ... M acht ... the knowledge of number as well ... since 8 is - power. And many more examples ... My book "Der Mond und der kosmische Code der Schöpfung" therefore could and will never be translated - since the only language to fully comprehend and understand this Code is ... German. And yes - I was raised bilingual - lived in 5 countries - could - and have! - also written in other languages.
We don't just think that, it corresponds to historical reality.
If you look at the inventions of Americans (here I mean people who are at least in 3. generation from America), there are not many left. America is what it is because people from all over the world immigrate and bring their knowledge with them.
What about tea? 🍵
*black* 😊
Is it really patriotism or nationalism in the USA?
Uh, I should stop commenting... I literally despise Felis points of view...
- Not to have planned everything out all the time: Feli, for your 'convenient shopping experience', people are exploited and don't have the weekend off.
- parking spaces everywhere: This means, the whole country is so car-dependend, that you often times HAVE to drive everywhere, because public transport is completely underfunded or none-existent. Have you tried to take a train somewhere in your glorious new home, with its about ten train-lines overall? What a joke. All that reeks to of an uncomfortable amount of privilege.
She is young and naive and inexperienced in some things. I don't know if she's ever worked anywhere or what.
Yes, is there anything better than parking lots? (US probably has 8 parking spaces per car i think)
I don't think I said anywhere that I think those things are GOOD per se? I actually have posted about how much space parking lots take up in the US that could have been used for housing or other causes. I was just being honest in saying that I can't deny that the convenience in this country was fun for me at first (and still is in many ways). That doesn't mean I don't know the downsides of it and approve of it.
@@arnodobler1096 I think there are thousands of things better than parking lots. I'm also 30 years old.
To your first point about employees working and being “exploited” on the weekends in the U.S. At times I think it is funny when people focus on Germans closing grocery stores and shopping stores on Sundays and think they are doing some amazing thing, yet, they still expect bowling alleys to be open, movie theaters, saunas, restaurants, etc. Just because there are a few select industries that are closed on one day of the weekend (I guess German employees are also exploited on the weekends if they have to work on Saturday?), there are still millions of Germans that are expected to work on Sundays so that the rest of Germany are able to be entertained 😂 In this way, I don’t think Germany is THAT much better 😅
To the point about the cars, again, Germany is often not that much better. Live in a rural part of the country like we do and sure, you might live in a village that is lucky enough to have a train stop with a train that comes once an hour, but with DB’s efficiency, your often lucky if that one train comes 😂 Or if you need to work in the city nearby, that’s a 20 minute drive or an hour by bus. Sure, doable, but everybody relies on cars here as well because of how poor the public transport is. Germany isn’t a perfect place either like this comment seems to try and make it out to be.
@@FelifromGermany musst dich doch nicht rechtfertigen bei irgendwelche Fremde im Internet. Du hattest deine persönlichen Gründe warum dir einiges ursprünglich besser erschien als du es in Deutschland gewohnt warst und das ist vollkommen normal. Dass du später erkanntest, dass auch solche Sachen ihre Schattenseiten haben ist auch logisch und reif.
No living creature knows as little about water as fish!
Last things first: I nearly always drink either cappuccino or latte (and with sugar).
It was interesting to hear the two of you talking about this. I have just celebrated 50 years of living in Germany and 10 years of being a German citizen. There was a brief period of madness (and for me it was that; caused me to be depressed the entire year and a half) when I thought I would move back to the States, but I still vividly remember the moment when I realized I did NOT want to do that. To use a German expression: Zehntausend Steine sind mir vom Herzen gefallen.
I can‘t tell you why I was so enamored of Germany and Europe even before I came here; there was no rational reason. Nonetheless, I have loved being here from the moment I stepped off the plane onto European soil. Renouncing my American citizenship did not cause me the least bit of anxiety, and I didn’t do it earlier out of laziness. Indeed, I remember a sense of exhilaration when I made the renunciation. If I were doing it today, I would still renounce my American citizenship.
But is my life „better“? I can‘t really say. Who knows what would have happened had I stayed in the USA? However, I can‘t imagine having had a better life than the one I have had here. In that sense, I am one lucky fellow.
I dunno, but maybe a lot of Americans just think that all the people who immigrate to the US do so, because it is best. Therefore that question doesn't even cross their mind. And when it comes to Germans saying "right?!" at the end, I would also add that some just phrase their questions that way. So yes, it may appear as an assumption to you and maybe in a way it is, but it also may just be their way of asking a question because they're curious and wanna know 🤷🏼♀️
since over 30 yrs black without sugar
Not drinking coffee at all, more a tea or hot choclat type
Omg, universes merge 😮😮😮
Thank you for not rhyming the title 🙏
Is that really a question?
Black Coffee ❤
Nice collab.
The United States also didn’t allow dual citizenship.
Since 1967 it’s been allowed for all
@@PassportTwo I didn’t think that it went back that far especially for all!
Coffe black - everything else is wrong. ;)
I gotta have at least a little milk 😅
@@PassportTwo everybody is entitled to their wrong opinion. 😉
Just kidding. Enjoy it the way you want. Who else could decide if you like it.
And by the way, thanks for the entertaining videos over the last years. Funny to see someone talking about my region on RUclips. And as I said on the last video: best burgers are from Sam Kullman‘s Diner. If you find some better ones in the KL region let me know. I am always looking for a nice new place to eat.
@@PassportTwo Yes, for the colour.
Drinking Scotch on ICE is worse 😂
Feli isn't an American at all. She's still just having fun. She said it herself...at the first sign of trouble and/or real life intruding on her bubble she'll be back "home" to Bavaria in a heartbeat.
OTOH, you, your wife and family are the real deal.
Not really a balanced conversation.
Deutschland ist beste!!!!!!
Deutschland ist beste
Family is overrated.
After a year, you just want to get away.
Ich glaube, Du verwechselst Familie mit Sex!
I grew up around the corner where you live now; namely in Kaiserslautern. Relatively early, around 14 or 15, it was clear to me that KL would remain my home, but I would live somewhere else. Meanwhile I am 21 and own a small house in the north of Finland ... but I don't live here all the time. Actually, I'm only here between October and April/May and the rest of the year I spend in my van and travel the world.
Where is life better now? In my opinion, better is the wrong word. Where do I prefer to live at the moment is my question. And the answer to that can really change for me every day. As a singer/songwriter, I am in the fortunate position of not being tied to a fixed point and also being able to dispose of my time somewhat freely. In my opinion, there is neither right nor wrong; in the end, it has to feel good.
i moved from bavaria to swabia and then to ostwestfalen, it feels like living in another country sometimes.